It makes perfect sense to me. (Feels incredibly relatable, in fact) Mitsuki is a pretty typical artist, being jerked around by feelings that feel bigger than she is. She started feeling like a fraud, because she was playing music that she didn't "feel" in order to fit into her band, because she was afraid to try and make it on her own. She already felt like a fraud. When Aya saw her playing, and she saw Aya's expression (of concern, but to Mitsuki it must've felt like disappointment,) it made her feel like it was confirmed, the jig was up, and it was just a matter of time before Aya dumped her for somebody "real". When somebody is depressed, actually depressed, they have the least charity for themselves. Depression lies, and that's where Mitsuki's been living, under the lies her depression was badgering her with. Aya adores her, though, honestly, and has been trying to wait for her to open up, move on, anything really, but she didn't want to push.

Mitsuki let her insecurities come out to Aki, though, and it hit Aki at a really bad time, so when Aki's friend snubbed him, he started spiraling too. When the kid went missing, maybe because of what Mitsuki said to him, well, a moment like that has a way of snapping a lot of things into focus. Mitsuki is actually really good in a crisis, and so that got her confidence back, so she played, because when that fight or flight response actually kicked in, she's in it to win it. When she played, from the heart, and saw how much Aya loved the way she actually played, she got overwhelmed with feels in the moment and proposed on impulse.

Because honestly, who could look at somebody who is looking at you like that and not want to spend the rest of your life making them look like that?

Very definitely. A large proportion of the people in my life have been artists of various kinds at various levels. Big emotions often lead to blurting. And of course our mangaka is an artist, who would have such associations and such insights . . .
Of course our central pair need to work on things. With humans problems never just go away, they just become more manageable with time/wisdom (if we’re lucky).
I hope that Oosawa-san realises that there’s an alcohol problem though; it’s been blunting her natural courage and resourcefulness. Koga-san is going to need her partner’s strength, because that one is definitely not out of the woods yet (and may always remain something of a woodland creature . . . )
. And of course I’m invested in the other characters with their own longings and such. Although I could imagine Arai-sensei might eventually want to move on to other projects, or indeed take a sabbatical, at some point.

See, Mitsuki back-pedaled appropriately on the proposal. Now it's just an endearing realization that Mitsuki loves Aya SO MUCH that one beautiful smile is all it takes for her to inadvertently purpose to Aya. :D Once they clear up the misunderstandings a little better (there better be more to that discussion!), I'd say that Aya is pretty lucky to know how deeply Mitsuki loves her!

(Cue someone claiming that the proposal is toxic and controlling behavior by Mitsuki...)

last edited at Sep 20, 2026 7:58AM

I don't think anyone predicted this outcome!

I hope there is some follow-up with Aki before getting back to Aya and Mitsuki, as I speculated before this is also important for him to realize true normality and heroes are flawed.

Ahhh to be young and dumb again.

is it possible to cry out of cuteness aggression

I hope there is some follow-up with Aki before getting back to Aya and Mitsuki, as I speculated before this is also important for him to realize true normality and heroes are flawed.

I'm almost 100% sure there will be, look at him on page 4 sitting nearby Aya and Mitsuki listening and smiling.

It does not really make sense for a defendant, but the trial scenario made me immediately imagine Mitsuki's suit in the first panel in Phoenix Wright blue.

I really have no clue what to make of Shu-chan's reaction here.

I really have no clue what to make of Shu-chan's reaction here.

Major disgust.

I have mixed feelings about this chapter. I'll admit that it gave a bit more time to address their relationship problems than I was expecting (which, admittedly, isn't saying much), but it was still a bit rushed, with them immediately accepting each other's apologies without talking things over.

At the risk of opening another can of worms, they didn't discuss what happened in Chapter 167 and whether it was consensual. Disregarding the debates about the severity of Mitsuki's actions, both of them clearly are thinking about that night in Chapter 168 and 169, so the issue hasn't been resolved.

I liked this chapter, but I can't help but think that it's a bit too comedic/light-hearted after all that build up.

I liked this chapter, but I can't help but think that it's a bit too comedic/light-hearted after all that build up.

I really have no clue what to make of Shu-chan's reaction here.

Major disgust.

But why?

Jealousy? Internalized homophobia? These are my two guesses based on the information we got about her.

At the risk of opening another can of worms, they didn't discuss what happened in Chapter 167 and whether it was consensual. Disregarding the debates about the severity of Mitsuki's actions, both of them clearly are thinking about that night in Chapter 168 and 169, so the issue hasn't been resolved.

It's almost like there was nothing non-con about it and it isn't an issue in either of their minds. I'm really tired of repeating myself on this, so just go back a couple pages, this conversation has already been had.

At the risk of opening another can of worms, they didn't discuss what happened in Chapter 167 and whether it was consensual. Disregarding the debates about the severity of Mitsuki's actions, both of them clearly are thinking about that night in Chapter 168 and 169, so the issue hasn't been resolved.

It's almost like there was nothing non-con about it and it isn't an issue in either of their minds. I'm really tired of repeating myself on this, so just go back a couple pages, this conversation has already been had.

It's neverending.

Jealousy? Internalized homophobia? These are my two guesses based on the information we got about her.

I honestly think she just doesn't like her that way but has some general affection which disgusts her a bit (playfully). I don't think it'll go any serious route but I guess we'll see.

last edited at Sep 20, 2026 4:20PM

I'm with the public on this one.

Yippee it brings me joy once more

The cat is already out of the bag, Mitsuki cannot take it back.
The secondary question from Mistuski is basically a derivative, conscious or unconscious, since it is a key element of a vow of marriage. So the yes from Aya made it a successful proposal all but in name only.
As for the problems, they are no longer major problems.

I really have no clue what to make of Shu-chan's reaction here.

I saw a post on Reddit speculate that Shu learned Mitsuki misinterpreted that Shu/Aya had feelings for each other, and Shu was majorly disgusted to have unintentionally caused drama for them. Or perhaps disgusted that someone thought she liked Aya lol.

My baby lesbians turned towards each other with a genuine desire to understand one another and repair their relationship!! I am so proud of them. :,) and aya even set a hard boundary ugh the kids are alright!!

I liked this chapter, but I can't help but think that it's a bit too comedic/light-hearted after all that build up.

Same feeling as well. I feel a bit cheated in a way. As if all that angst was for nothing. But in itself, it was still a great chapter.

In a way the reactions in this thread are perfectly emblematic of this chapter's theme of getting in your own head and making smth out to be a much bigger deal for the other person that it actually ended up being xD funny that

is it possible to cry out of cuteness aggression

YES IT IS